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Neurodiversity Programme Presented at the United Nations Offices in Vienna
The innovative project, which promotes the integration of autistic professionals into the workforce, was honoured at the Zero Project Conference 2025 in Vienna, Austria.
This award recognises entities that promote a more empathetic and inclusive corporate culture.
During the Zero Project Conference 2025, held from 5th to 7th March at the United Nations Offices in Vienna, Austria, we had the opportunity to present our work as part of the Neurodiversity Programme at a global forum made up of policymakers, government figures, and diversity and inclusion (DEI) experts from around the world.
This year, the conference was attended by more than 1,000 participants from 90 countries and provided a platform for the dissemination of best practices from the 77 innovative solutions awarded, focusing on Inclusive Employment in ICT. Catarina Fonseca, the Coordinator of the Neurodiversity Programme at Critical Software, describes this moment as “unique and highly prestigious. It’s not every day that we are invited to share our experience at the United Nations, on a stage dedicated primarily to human rights.”
Martin Essl, Founder of the Essl Foundation and Initiator of the Zero Project, emphasises the importance of these projects, where “the award winners are breaking down barriers to make inclusive employment a reality.”
The Neurodiversity Programme was the only Portuguese project honoured at this global inclusion forum for its innovative nature, impact, and scalability, at a time when it is opening doors for its fifth edition.
5th Edition: Applications Now Open
Applications for the 5th edition of the Neurodiversity Programme are now open, and interested individuals can submit their CVs directly on the programme's new official website.
Additionally, the companies supporting the Neurodiversity Programme (Critical Software, Critical TechWorks, and NOS) are organising "Open Days" in five Portuguese cities (Coimbra, Viseu, Lisbon, Porto, and Braga), offering potential candidates, as well as families and professionals accompanying them, the chance to explore the locations where they could potentially work. The Open Days will take place between 31st March and 4th April, coinciding with the celebration of World Autism Awareness Day.
For further information, please contact [email protected].